This two-week program is organized around the temples, shrines and ashrams which are such a wellspring of spiritual energies for the entire world!! Included will be the Ashrams of Sri Ramana Maharshi, Swami Vivekananda, Sri Ramakrishna, Ananda Moi Ma, Master Sivananda, Sri Aurobindo and The Mother … all of whom were important influences in the life of Sri Swami Satchidananda.
A typical day begins with Group Meditation and a Hatha Yoga Class from 6 – 8 AM, followed by a buffet breakfast at our hotel and then ... many adventures! In the evening we will gather again to conclude the day with chants, deep relaxation and satsangs.
This one-night stay is to gather our group, get acquainted, have an orientation, and then launch our program!
Target your flight arrival time in Chennai to be between noon and midnight on the 16th.
(Your preassigned taxi driver will carry a placard with your name on it)
- 6:00 PM Hatha Yoga Session
- 9:00 PM Yoga Nidra
Overnight in Chennai at Trident Hotel
- 7:00 AM Morning practices and breakfast
- 10:30 AM Gathering for orientation and introductions
- 12:30 PM Travel to Thiruvannamalai with stops for lunch and sight-seeing along the way
- 5:00 PM Vedaparayana - Ramana Ashram
- 7:30 PM The teachings of Ramana Maharshi
Overnight in Tiruvannamalai at Ramana Towers
Thiruvannamalai is a Mecca for meditators and jnana yogis from around the world. It pulses with spiritual energy and is home to many ashrams and temples; for hundreds of years it has always included an enlightened soul in its population.
- 7:00 AM Morning practices and breakfast
- 10:00 AM Tour of Ramanashram, Thiruvannamalai & Arunachala Village School
- Optional programme in the afternoon: massages and swimming at Sparsa Hotel
- 7:00 PM Meditation at Ramana Ashram
Overnight in Tiruvannamalai
- 7:00 AM Morning practices and breakfast
- Meditation in Virupaksha Guha
- Tour and Darshan at Arunachaleeswaran Temple
- FREE AFTERNOON
- 7:30 PM Meditation Workshop
Overnight in Tiruvannamalai
- 5:00 AM "Girivellam" circumambulation of the Holy Mountain
- (1, 2 or 3 hours in length-your choice -- with rikshas available to return to hotel)
- 10:00 AM Hatha Yoga in hotel
- 11:30 AM Lunch at Ramana Ashram
- 4:00 PM Bhajans at Ashram of Yogi Ram Surat Kumar
- 5:00 PM Meditation at Ramana Ashram
Overnight in Tiruvannamalai
The province of Pondicherry was governed by the French for centuries, so the town is a delightful fusion of French and Indian. We will meditate daily at Aurobindo Ashram and study the teachings of Sri Aurobindo and his companion, The Mother.
- 6:00 AM Morning practice and breakfast (short version)
- 8:00 AM Travel to Auroville
- 10:30 Meditation in Matru Mandhir
- 12:00 PM Lunch and tour of Auroville community
- 3:00 PM Travel to Pondicherry and driving tour of Pondicherry
- 6:00 PM Hatha Yoga session
- 7:30 The Teachings of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother
Overnight in Pondicherry at Anandha Inn
- 6:00 AM Meditation at Aurobindo Ashram
- 7:00 AM Hatha Yoga and breakfast
- 10:00 AM Travel to Beach Resort
- 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM swimming, massage, lunch and beach walks
- 5:00 PM Shopping excursions in Pondicherry
Overnight in Pondicherry
- 6:00 AM Meditation at Aurobindo Ashram
- 7:00 AM Hatha Yoga at hotel
- Darshan at private quarters of Sri Aurobindo
- Discussions with Dr. Larry Seidlich
- Lunch in Aurobindo Ashram Dining Hall
- FREE AFTERNOON
- Evening stroll along Pondicherry boardwalk
- 7:30 Pranayama Workshop
Overnight in Pondicherry
Chennai is a commercial/technology hub (a city of six million) which is also home to extraordinary temples, shrines and ashrams. You will be amazed by the Ramakrishna Mutt, the Shrine of St. Thomas, and Kapaleeswaran temple.
- 6:00 AM Meditation at Aurobindo Ashram
- 7:00 AM Hatha Yoga and breakfast
- 10:00 AM Travel to Chennai
- 1:00 PM Lunch at Maha Mudra Restaurant
- 3:00 PM Meditation at Tomb of St. Thomas
- Darshan and tour at Kapaleeswaran Temple
- 7:30 PM The Teachings of Sri Ramakrishna
Overnight in Chennai at New Woodlands Hotel
- 6:00 AM-8:00 AM Morning practice and breakfast
- 9:00 AM Visit to Ramakrishna Math
- Satsang with Swami Mahamedhanandaji
- 4:00 PM Visit to Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram
Overnight in Chennai
Rishikesh has provided shelter and inspiration for seekers and sadhus for many centuries! Situated on the banks of the Divine Mother Ganges and at the foot of the Himalayas, it offers blessings and joys on every side.
- 6:00 AM Morning practice and breakfast
- 9:00 AM Board bus for airport
- 11:00 AM Flights to New Delhi and Dehradun
- Dinner in Vasundhara Palace and walking tour of Rishikesh
- 8:30 PM Meditation at the Ganges River
Overnight in Rishikesh at Vasundhara Palace
- 5:30 AM Meditation on the Ghats (on the Ganges)
- 6:30 AM Hatha Yoga at the hotel
- 10:00 AM Tour of Divine Life Society
- 11:00 AM Meditation at Guru Nivas
- 2:30 PM Tour of Beatles Ashram
- 5:00 PM Harathi at Parmath Nikethan
- 7:30 PM Stories of Master Sivananda
Overnight in Rishikesh
- 5:30 AM Meditation on the ghats
- 6:30 AM Morning practice and breakfast
- 8:30 AM Travel to Vashishta Guha
- Ritual bathing in the Holy Ganges
- Lunch at Café De Goa
- Explorations and shopping in Lakshman Jhula
- 5:30 PM Satsang with Swami Muktanandaji, schedule permitting
Overnight in Rishikesh
- 5:30 AM Meditation on the ghats
- 6:30 AM Morning practice and breakfast
- FREE TIME UNTIL EVENING
- 5:30 PM Kirtan in Ananda Kutir, the private home of Master Sivananda
- Dinner at Madras Cafe
- 7:30 PM Stories of Ananda Moi Ma and Neem Karoli Baba
- 4:30 AM Puja at Vishwanath Mandhir & Offerings at tomb of Master Sivananda (optional!)
- 7:00 AM Morning yoga practice and breakfast
- 9:30 AM Travel to Haridwar with sightseeing at:
- Hanuman Mandhir (Neem Karoli Baba Ashram)
- Jain Temple
- Meditation at the Tomb of Anandamayi Ma
- Lunch at Invitation Restaurant
- 3:00 PM Travel to Delhi, with dinner en route
Overnight in Delhi
On this our last day we will explore the multi-cultural aspect of India’s capital city, with a visit to the Ba’hai LOTUS, Moghul edifices, a Sikh Temple, the Delhi Krishna Temple; and we will conclude our tour experiences with prayers at the tomb of Mahatma Gandhi.
- 7:00 AM Morning practice, breakfast and final packing up
- 9:30 AM Tour of Delhi including:
- Tour of Ba’hai LOTUS Shrine
- Worship at Hare Krishna Temple
- Lunch at Gurudwara
- Prayers at tomb of Mahatma Gandhi
- Red Fort
- 6:00 PM Farewell dinner at Airport Holiday Inn
Drop offs to airport or to Delhi hotels as needed